SINCE 2011 hundreds and then thousands of people have rolled into town for the Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Creating an event to promote the town and district was never going to be easy.
Growing and developing it so that it becomes like some of the iconic events around Riverina such as the Deniliquin Ute Muster, the Parkes Elvis Festival or even Griffith’s La Festa takes a mega effort.
This year will see a substantial change in how the event operates.
Charging an entry fee to the festival precinct in Broadway is going to be contentious among local visitors, but it’s worth remembering this is not designed for local visitors.
It means promotion of this festival is aimed at places far and away – Canberra, Sydney, Victoria as it’s all about enticing people to move to town, bringing their business or skills and raising their children.
It’s an opportunity to showcase this town and all its positives – where the community comes together for each other and not just in good times.
Hopefully, those thousands of visitors will take the opportunity to wander and see the glorious sights – and not just the “usuals”.
The festival is a team effort and done right, it will linger in people’s minds longer than the two days the festival lasts in town.
Unfortunately that value isn’t immediately tangible but it would be foolish to ignore the thousands of people knocking on the front door of town looking to come in.
- Declan Rurenga